Anne Reeves, tutor coordinator of the Teaching and Learning Center, has been with Columbia State Community College since 2008. Her professional experience started in Nashville with songwriting, photography and poetry.

"I can't remember a time when I haven't been writing," Reeves said. "My mother tells me I wrote my first song when I was seven years old."

During her time in Nashville, Reeves wrote songs for popular musicians such as LeAnn Rimes and Lee Ann Womack, won Billboard magazine songwriter awards and won Nashville Scene's first poetry and fiction contest award. She noted that she left Nashville at time in her life when she needed a change and she was hired at Columbia State as a full-time tutor.

"I was at a point in my life where I needed to make a change," Reeves said. "The music industry was in slump because of internet downloading, and many of my songwriting friends were leaving town. I love academia and interacting with students. There is a special energy at a college campus."

After a few years and changes within the department, Reeves became the Teaching and Learning Center tutor coordinator where she is in charge of hiring and supervising tutors at the Columbia, Lawrence, Lewis and Clifton campuses. In addition to her duties in the Teaching and Learning Center, Reeves is the co-chair for the Duck River Writers' Conference, a member of the Lyceum Committee and was the chair for the Columbia State 50^th Anniversary social media committee.

Reeves noted that her greatest accomplishment at Columbia State has been creating a positive and comfortable environment in the Teaching and Learning Center where students can receive assistance, collaborate with classmates and make new friends. Going forward, she wants to create new initiatives that will increase student success.

"My tutors are the favorite part of my job," Reeves said. "I am happy to come into work because I have such a great staff that includes student tutors, adjunct faculty and professionals."

Reeves earned her bachelor's of science degrees in mass communication from Middle Tennessee State University, and her Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from Murray State University.

Reeves currently has essays published in Chapter 16, Tennessee Humanities online journal. To see some of her work, visit www.chapter16.org. Her poetry appears in several journals and anthologies, including Image, Antioch Review and Southern Poetry Anthology Vol 6: Tennessee.


Photo Caption: Anne Reeves, a California native, currently resides in Columbia.